Pros
The pay is competitive and the benefits are decent, but what makes the company good to work for is its employees. The company is good at hiring many of the most talented people in the industry. Everyone is very capable. It's a pleasure to be surrounded by great peers. There are also plenty of learning opportunities.
Cons
Time off for new hires can be a problem due to the bi-annual mandatory shutdowns (Xmas and week of July 4th). The shutdowns are needed to give everyone a break. Staffing is continually paper thin and meeting schedules can be very challenging (Brocade is a schedule-driven company). Other than on-the-job training, taking advantage of the learning opportunities can also be a challenge, as there isn't a lot of free time for it. Promotion opportunities appear to be empty promises unless you are in a very visible position.
